Details revealed: Thailand and the United States signed a rare earth minerals agreement, defining five areas of cooperation.

Details revealed: Thailand and the United States have signed a rare earth agreement covering five key areas, from exploration, extraction, and processing to technology transfer and mineral market protection.

On October 26, 2568, the White House revealed that in Kuala Lumpur, Donald Trump, President of the United States He brokered the Kuala Lumpur Peace Agreement between Thailand and Cambodia, reached reciprocal trade agreements with Malaysia and Cambodia, issued a joint trade statement with Thailand and Vietnam, enhanced relations with Malaysia, and strengthened U.S.-Cambodia cooperation on national defense and transnational crime. President Trump also attended the 13th annual U.S.-ASEAN Summit.

One of the issues in strengthening relations between the United States and Thailand President Trump and Thai Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul signed a memorandum of understanding on the sourcing and diversification of critical minerals, promoting cooperation between U.S. and Thai companies and increasing the resilience of global supply chains. Importantly, these efforts will mitigate the negative impacts of anticompetitive and unfair trade practices, such as dumping, heavy subsidies, and low standards, through price floor and similar measures.

This Memorandum of Understanding signed this time This is a Memorandum of Understanding between the Government of the United States of America and the Government of the Kingdom of Thailand Concerning Cooperation to Diversify Global Critical Minerals Supply Chains and Promote Investment (Memorandum of Understanding Between The Government of the United States of America and The Government of The Kingdom of Thailand Concerning Cooperation to Diversify Global Critical Minerals Supply Chains and Promote Investment) with the following details:

Objective

The United States and the Thai governments (hereinafter referred to as the “Participants”) intend to cooperate to strengthen oversight of the critical mineral resources sector, promote business collaboration between the two countries, and promote trade and investment, enabling Thailand to integrate more securely and reliably into global supply chains.

Participants recognized the importance of a stable, diverse, transparent and fair market for critical minerals to support exploration, extraction, processing, end-use, recovery and recycling.

Both sides intend to strengthen economic cooperation and resource security, jointly promoting investment, technology transfer and the development of new technologies to enhance the sustainability of critical mineral supply chains in each country.

Objectives of the Memorandum of Understanding

To strengthen cooperation in developing and expanding the supply chain of critical minerals, promoting trade and investment in exploration, extraction, processing, refining, recycling and reuse of resources.

This includes supporting investments aimed at adding value to domestic and processing industries, instead of solely exporting raw materials, and supporting the transition to an open, efficient, secure, and transparent market for critical minerals and rare earths, to strengthen, secure, and prosper the supply chain between the two countries.

Scope of cooperation

1. Both sides will exchange information, knowledge and technical expertise in line with best international practices to enhance the capacity of Thailand's critical minerals sector, assist Thailand in analyzing its existing resource base and jointly consider key projects that promote supply chain security.

Each party has the right to decide for itself which projects are suitable for investment, but both participants will have the first opportunity to invest under the laws of each country in critical mineral assets traded in Thailand. Investment projects must involve technology transfer, capacity building and training of local personnel.

2. Cooperation mechanisms may include meetings between government officials, organizing seminars, workshops and joint geological research projects, information exchange with the private sector, universities and other stakeholders, and capacity building activities for personnel.

3. Cooperation may include improving regulatory practices, such as streamlining licensing procedures, developing investment structures, and coordinating efforts between the central government and local governments. Furthermore, both sides will jointly develop or improve agencies responsible for overseeing the security of critical mineral assets to mitigate national security risks.

4. Both parties shall exchange information regarding potential projects or bids as soon as possible and no later than such information has been transmitted to other investors, to allow time for their respective domestic companies to prepare for participation.

5. Both sides will cooperate to protect their respective countries' essential mineral markets, adhering to fair trade policies and establishing high-standard markets where qualified individuals can trade within established price frameworks, such as floor prices or similar measures.

Data processing and sharing

Both sides intend to meet regularly, both in person and online, to discuss trade and investment opportunities in the critical minerals supply chain, with additional meetings convening as needed. Each side will independently determine whether the discussed projects are appropriate to proceed.

Beginning and ending

1. This Memorandum of Understanding shall come into effect from the date of its signing by both parties.
2. All operations are based on available budget and are not financially binding.
3. This document is not binding under international law and does not affect any other existing agreements.
4. Either party may terminate cooperation at any time by giving written notice through diplomatic channels.
5. Termination does not affect previously ongoing activities.

Signed in Kuala Lumpur on 26 October 20568.

United States government
US President Donald Trump

The Government of the Kingdom of Thailand
Mr. Anutin Charnvirakul, Prime Minister of Thailand

refer : www.whitehouse.gov/briefings-statement , www.whitehouse.gov/fact-sheets

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